Q: Is It Hard To Eat While Wearing My Appliance?
A:  It takes a few days to adjust to wearing your appliance while eating.  Usually, your diet will change somewhat as sticky, candied foods cannot be eaten while wearing your appliance.
 
Q: Is It Difficult To Speak While Wearing The Appliance?
A:  Your speech is affected while you wear the appliance but this becomes easier with time.  Upper appliances interfere with speech more than lower appliances, and during phase I of treatment you are required to wear a lower appliance all the time.
 
Q: How Do I Know If My Symptoms Are Related To TMJ Dysfunction?

A:  Once your dentist or physician has ruled out the obvious health problems, considering neoplasms and cardiovascular disease and more obvious problems first, then one should consider TMJ dysfunction as the cause of the following common symptoms:

  •  Chronic headaches
  •  Muscle aches or lack of neck mobility
  •  Sore teeth or facial muscles
  •  Numbness or tingling of face or hands
  •  Limited ability to open your mouth 
  •  Jaw sounds (cracking or popping) when opening or closing the mouth
  •  Sore neck, back and/or shoulder muscles
  •  Clenching or grinding of teeth
  •  Broken teeth or restorations
  •  Loose teeth
  •  Sudden spacing or crowding of the teeth
  •  Root canal procedures that do not cure a toothache
 
Q: Can Children Have TMDS?
A:  Yes, TMDS (temporomandibular dysfunction syndrome) or TMJ dysfunction is common among people of all age groups.  The treatment is similar to that described here.
 
Q: Can An Adult's Bone Structure Be Affected By The TMJ Appliance?
A:  Yes, adults have the genetic potential to have skeletal changes at any age with the proper appliances and adjustments.
 
Q: Will Changes To My Jaw And Teeth Be Permanent?
A:  Yes, with the proper treatment and retention, changes to the alignment of your jaws and teeth will be permanent.
 
Q: If Children Begin Treatment Early, Will It Lessen Their Chances of Needing Braces?
A:  Yes, however, in some cases, a child's teeth will still need help erupting into function and with the optimal esthetics.  In these cases, braces are used.  Since the use of braces in these cases is limited to tooth movement instead of trying to move the jaw bones, the time the braces are worn is usually much less than with conventional orthodontic treatments.